Josh Cullen has opened his heart on his desire to return to West Ham next summer.

The Hammers midfielder is currently on loan at Charlton where manager Lee Bowyer is keen to sign him permanently.

But a £4 million fee plus wages could inhibit a move to a club which has been involved in a heavy cost cutting exercise over recent months.

Cullen’s heart appears to still be at the London Stadiumwhen in an interview with the Evening Standard he revealed a conversation he has held with manager Manuel Pellegrini.

He said: “The manager was brilliant with me. We sat down and he said he would support me whatever I wanted to do.

“I thought I needed to be playing and he agreed. I can’t thank him enough for supporting me and making me feel at ease. He told me to go out, enjoy my football and improve and, hopefully, I’ll return to West Ham a better player for him.”

“I would love to play in that team, under Manuel and his staff. It is a good team, a big talented squad, but I know I have to keep working hard every day.”